Track 3 - #SisterSTEM

The objective of this track and break-out sessions are to provide you with valuable information that you should know today, helping you prepare for college or your career. It’s never too early to get prepared for your future!

The talented speakers we have scheduled are all previous YWE Scholarship winners and excited to share their journey with you…be ready to be inspired and motivated!

Deronisha Arceneaux

Deronisha Arceneaux was the Valedictorian of the first graduating class of 2015 at Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy. Although she faced hardship during her upbringing due to her father's imprisonment during her middle childhood years, she went on to be a first-generation college graduate from Pitzer College class of 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. In her undergraduate career, she traveled to Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe studying the political, economic, and social climate of the three countries while also conducting research on a rabies vaccine at the University of Botswana Vaccine Institute. Upon returning, she continued to conduct research for two years at Keck Graduate Institute ranging from Type 2 Diabetes to Cancer Biology. Deronisha is currently enrolled at Vanderbilt University to obtain a Ph.D. in Biomedical Science.

Grace Hamadeh

Grace Hamadeh is a freshman studying Biochemical Engineering at Texas A&M University College Station. Grace graduated at the top of her class and was the 2020 Valedictorian at Alief Early College High School. It was her hard work ethics, drive, and passion in high school that helped her transition into college smoothly. Grace did dual credit in high school and went to college with 100 college credits, giving her a junior class status at Texas A&M. Her ambitious and drive won’t allow others to get in the way of her dreams, majoring in Biomedical Sciences which will prepare her for post-graduate ambitions such as medical school and beyond. She is a Texas A&M Emergency Team Care Services member which she is most proud of. She never thought she would get this type of emergency medicine training so soon. Grace comes from a humble Lebanese family of six and is a proud chocolate enthusiast that enjoys singing, shopping and foodie.

Divya Ramamurthy

Divya Ramamurthy is a junior at the University of Pennsylvania studying Finance, Operations Management, and Consumer Psychology. She was very involved with the Women’s Energy Network and has a passion for Energy’s intersection with the Finance world. She has completed summer internships at the Securities and Exchange Commission, Goldman Sachs, and will be working at KKR next summer. Throughout these summer experiences, she has really pushed and challenged herself to think analytically and deeply about different finance and entrepreneurial concepts. Outside of academics, Divya sings for a cappella group and is the captain of her dance team at Penn. She also spends her time with Penn Speaks for Autism in a virtual dance class for kids.

Elizabeth Ramos

Elizabeth Ramos is a graduate of Energy Institute High School and recipient of the 2020 YWE Scholarship and currently attends Southern Methodist University as a freshman majoring in Environmental Engineering. She is a native Houstonian who loves to continue her involvement in organizations such as YWE and the National Hispanic Institute. She hopes to pursue a career that allows her to aid in the development of others and provide them opportunities for growth. Outside of her schooling, Elizabeth likes to travel, bake, and spend time with her family.

Divya Nagaraj

Divya Nagaraj is a sophomore studying Computer Science + Biology at Stanford University. She is passionate about developing and applying technology to improve healthcare access globally. On campus, she is involved in data fusion research at the Stanford Medical School, co-teaches a tech for social good class, and is involved in multiple tech and entrepreneurship clubs. Last summer, she worked as a Software Engineering Intern on Facebook's AR/VR team. Currently, she is working on developing new multiscale models for predicting cancer onset, helping to launch a new clinical trial platform with a startup, and taking classes from Houston. While not coding, she enjoys practicing yoga, dancing with her team, playing golf, and traveling.

Lizzie Schmitz

Lizzie Schmitz is a sophomore at the University of Texas at Dallas, earning her bachelors in Molecular Biology, with a minor in Neuroscience. She is an aspiring clinical researcher and works for Dr. Michael Burton’s Neuroimmunology lab, where she studies the connection between diet, the brain, and the immune system in the body; this topic is her passion. She believes that no matter where you come from, no matter what educational opportunities have been handed to you, and no matter your history, you have a place in STEM. There is no ideal profile for a woman in STEM. Science should be accessible for everyone! No one deserves to stay within a circle or sit on the sidelines in fear. When told you have “too much” personality and vision, push back, channel the wild woman within, and just keep defying expectations. Our society perpetuates a cycle of suppressing the untethered, powerful woman within and you are the keepers of the power to break the cycle and BLOOM into YOU!